Disclaimer: I own nothing but my own original characters and whatnot.

A/N: And here's part two of collapse! Sorry they were so spaced apart. I spent the summer traveling and I started uni this fall, so I'm pretty busy. SOMH has been on my mind for awhile and I decided to press on and write up part two of this chapter. Things are about to get serious. I hope you enjoy! :)

Collapse: Part II

Lady Calloway

Peter had been accepting her passes for awhile now. In the garden when she approached him unannounced and unchaperoned, at numerous dinners and parties, and at public events. Though he may have mistaken her intentions for her natural demeanor and responded with mere kindness, he accepted them nonetheless.

It was time, she said to herself as she looked in the mirror. She was nervous, to be sure. She never dreamed she'd have to do anything like this in her lifetime. But it was now or never. Now or never... She sprayed on some fragrance and adjusted her earrings.

The time had come to make her intentions known.

Susan

If she were capable of describing what she felt, she wouldn't dare use the word 'dirty,' as it subsequently became the cleanest word in the book. No word in English—or any language she had learned—could accurately depict the violation she encountered with Prince Rabadash. How could a man who previously embodied kindness and sensitivity suddenly become so vulgar and cruel? Better yet, who was she to fall prey to his lavish and unashamed falsehoods? How could she not see his intentions through his smoky brown eyes or moist, full pink lips? She was the sensible one in the family and was known for always keeping her wits about her. She was never subject to the traps her siblings often fell into. How could she have been so. stupid?! She hit herself in the chest before realizing what she had done. Coming back to her surroundings for a moment, he realized she was standing in the middle of her bedroom for not reason. She sighed heavily, sinking into the bed's comfort.

Maybe it was because he showered her affection. Not simply poetry and love songs, but he lit fires in her that her other suits didn't. Maybe it was because he was her potential first love. Maybe it was because before, she thought she loved him back. Maybe it was because she could hear the whispers among the court members that consisted of "the unmarried queen" and "Queen Susan the Gentle—but not gentle enough to warrant a husband." Maybe it was because she wanted to do something exciting. Or that she had no options left. But now, she had no option but to tell the others what happened, and that she didn't want to stay here anymore.

It was time, she said to herself. She had made her decision. She had her confirmation. It was now or never.

Charlotte

I walked in the drawing room to find Edmund and Peter looking over a map of Tashbaan. It was mostly marked with miniature Narnia flag posts, save for some areas like the inner city and certain sections of the palace.

"What's that?" I asked, coming to stand between them.

"It's a map of the places we went in search of Corin," Edmund said.

"I'm assuming the unmarked territory hasn't been searched?"

"Yep, you'd be correct in assuming that," Edmund let out a deep breath slowly and tapped at the table with his fingers. "I don't trust him out there. It's not safe. Why, he could be with any manner of people right now!"

"Like who?" I asked.

"Prostitutes, cheats, murderers, whatever some of corrupt person you can think of," said Peter.

I paused for a moment before speaking, my eyes still on the map. "Are there any opportunities for us to find him?"

"There's a parade today, in the inner city."

"More like a public viewing," Edmund griped. "It's like we're preserved specimen and they're the observers."

"But it still gives us the chance to look for him where we haven't before," Peter chimed in.

"I suppose," Ed huffed, before walking out of the room.

"What's wrong with him," I asked Peter.

"He doesn't want to be here anymore. He says he feels less secure than ever and more vulnerable because of Corin's disappearance."

"Well, we do need Corin to leave the country. I'll give him that."

"He's not wrong in wanting to leave. He senses our stay will increase the Calormene thirst for war. Now all we need in Susan's—"

At that moment, Susan walked in, head held high, hair (and heart) down low.

"Hello" I blinked.

"Hello," she replied. A pause. "So-um-how's the search for Corin coming along? Have we found him yet?"

"No," Peter said gravely.

"Damn—I mean oh..." She began biting her fingernail.

"Is everything alright? You seem tense."

"No! Yes! I'm fine." She forced a grin. "Just worried about him."

"Well there's going to be a parade today!" I said a little too gaily.

"Yes, which will give us an opportunity to look for him. So keep your eyes peeled." peter motioned for a faun, who came and cleared away the map.

"That's good! That's very good." Susan nodded. "I'm going to go get ready."

"Yes, we should all do that," I agreed, starting towards our chambers. I held out my hand, motioning for Peter to follow. "Come on."

We entered the main bedroom and immediately, Peter began going through his supplies trunk. Soon, there was a pile of armor that lay near the foot of the bed.

"What are you doing?" I said, changing my jewels to something slightly more formal.

"I'm going to wear one of my steel caps," he panted. "I'll show them where my allegiance lies. Ah, here it is." He pulled out a matte helmet with little wings extending from either side of it. He fitted it do his head.

"You look very noble," I said, unsmiling.

"That might take the piss out of them," He grinned, satisfied.

"You sound as eager as Edmund when he was younger. And anyway, when I was all worked up about the Tisroc's demeanor at dinner, weren't you the person to calm me down?"

"Just because I console you doesn't mean I don't agree with you. And was that meant to be an insult?"

"A warning."

"What?"

"Just be careful. We've been here too long. Everyone knows it. And everyone's getting sick of it."

He sighed, putting on a tunic the colour of grass in spring.

"Are you listening to me?" I asked.

"Yes, I am. It's good reason to find Corin." He walked to my side, putting a hand on my hip. Before he could lean in, I put my jewels in their proper drawer and opened the chamber door.

"They'll be calling us soon," I hardly said it above a whisper.

The parade went like this. We started out at the south entrance of the palace and made our way through the inner city—North. It was a large and chaotic affair, full of dance and chatter and someone screaming "way, way way!" every few moments. The crowd closed in and follow us as we went, either conversing in their native tongue or ours.

"Look at those colours! Malina you'll have to get some for your shop."

"Why are they so fair?"

"By the Tisroc—even the animals speak to one another!"

"That tall on in the middle should know he's not in Narnia anymore. Look at his helmet! He disgraces us."

"You see the barbarian queen" —again with that word— "the high queen. I would thrust her into a wall until that was all she knew."

Immensely unsettled, I instinctively reached for the hand next to me. After grabbing it, I turned to see it was—

"Corin!"

"Corin!" Peter yelled, grabbing him by the shoulders, "Shame on you for running away from us. We've been sick with worry. Where the hell have you been?"

Corin didn't answer, and thus it gave Peter the opportunity to give him a good speech for the rest of the parade. Back at the palace, we all gathered in the drawing room and nearly badgered the poor boy with questions. His only answer was this: "I... I don't know."

"What's all this fuss?" Asked Mr. Tumnus. "You're scaring his little highness; look at him! He's exhausted and might be questioning his surroundings." With that, we all quieted down and made Corin comfortable on a sofa.

"Well, he's back," Edmund motioned for us to gather around. "Susan, we've been here too long without an answer, and I cannot bear it anymore. Are you going to marry him or not?"

"No," she murmured, "I wouldn't do it for anything. He... he came to my room the other day. Hinted that I would marry him despite what I wanted. And then he..."

"He what?" Lucy asked, touching her arm.

"He touched me. He hurt my chest. The gown covers it up."

"He's an ass; an imbecile!" Peter said a bit too loudly. His voice shook.

"I want to go home," Susan cried. Lucy enveloped her into a hug.

"And we will," Edmund nodded. "I have an idea."

"Go on," I said.

"The prince is a spoiled menace. He's not used to getting his way, and he'll take it by force if he has to."

"So what do we do?"

Tumnus chimed in before we could open our mouths. "Invite the royal family of the Tisroc to a banquet on the Splendor Hyaline. Queen Susan can strongly hint to the prince that she is in favour of the marriage—a lie of course—and the banquet would be to announce it formally."

"But we don't want that," I said.

"I know, I know, just listen. We can spend tomorrow loading the ship with what appears to be party preparations—"

"But we'll really be preparing for our departure."

"Exactly."

"Now we just have to press through one more night of Calormene culture." Edmund and Susan sighed in unison. "Can you do it, sister?" After a long pause, she spoke.

"Yes, brother. I can."

Tonight's dinner was no less extravagant than the rest. There was loud music and dancing and conversation, almost too much to focus on a meal. From a distance, I saw Susan and Rabadash sitting together. One of his hands rubbed against her thigh, the other on her ribcage. Though she smiled and played his game, I could tell this performance was no easy feat.

Later on, the dinner was interrupted when Susan gave Rabadash news of the banquet. The Tisroc announced it and demanded there be more dancing. The orchestra erupted into song, and half the table left to join the fun.

I zoned out for an extended period of time and only came back when Lady Calloway convinced Peter to join her for a dance. It was awkward to say the least. He hardly moved while she slithered up and down like the rest of the women. It looked painful. And it made me slightly uncomfortable. But it didn't seem too harmful, so I didn't do anything about it.

Hours later, most everyone retired to their perspective chambers, but I hadn't seen Peter since dinner. I figured he was talking to Edmund and Tumnus, but when I saw them both on their own, I grew a little suspicious. Where was my husband?

I decided to walk part of the palace and look for him, but he was nowhere to be found. It was getting late—no, scratch that, it was late,, and we needed sufficient rest for the following day. I started back to our room, wondering if he'd ben there all this time. And I was almost there when I heard giggling coming from the garden. Then, I heard something like a muffled voice trying to become clear. When I passed the gate, the noises stopped. But then, I turned.

There was Lady Calloway in the right hand corner of the garden.

And she was kissing Peter.

Peter

He was less than comfortable when Lady Calloway began dancing on him at dinner, but when she dragged him outside, he almost began to feel sick.

"What are you doing?"

"Let's not pretend anymore," she said, taking his hands. "You like me. And you have for a long time."

"I don't understand what you mean—"

"The times you asked me to dance, the time we spoke alone. It all makes sense. You want me."

"No, Lady Calloway, there must be some mistake—"

"No," she said forcefully. "You. Want me. And I want you."

She pushed him into the wall, placing one of his hands on her chest. It all happened so quickly.

"Come on," she whispered against his lips. "Let's not hold it in when we don't have to."

She pressed her lips against his. He felt paralyzed, unable to defend himself. She was a lot stronger than she looked, and had successfully pinned him against the garden wall. He had no idea where she got the idea that he wanted her from. And anyway, half their interactions were produced by Charlotte—oh God. Charlotte.

"What, the mother—" Right on cue.

"Charlotte!" Peter found his strength and broke away from Callie as she weakened.

Charlotte's face was entirely red, full of anger and confusion. She crossed her arms. "Go on then. If you're going to explain, explain. I know you have something to say."

"Charlotte, she came onto me. It was so sudden I didn't know how to react—"

"That is bull—"

"Charlotte, please!"

"No," she cried, pointing at him. "You were the one who begged me, nearly guilted me into having sex with you and you're here now with your mistress. Couldn't get enough? Answer me!"

"Look at me, Char, look at me. We've been married for almost fifteen years. You know me better than anyone. You know my habits, you know my rituals. Do you see anything that counteracts my words?"

"Your actions, you arse." Her voice was harsh, brittle. Her eyes were nearly full of liquid but she blinked them back as best she could.

"Well go on," she continued. "You want to be alone with the lady of the court? Your whore?! Go ahead. You've done it before."

She began to leave, but he grabbed the sleeve of her dress. What happened next would stay with him for the rest of his life. She turned back to him, her face burning, her cheeks laced with tears. "Don't. Touch me." Her voice was so deep he daresay she resembled Aslan. With that, she ripped her arm out of his grasp and left.

Peter turned, expecting to see Lady Calloway, but she was gone as well. He was left alone to make sense of what he just allowed to happen.

Lady Calloway

She burst into Lord Sosorion's chambers with a grin covering her face.

"I did it," she said. "Their lives will never ben the same."

Sosorion looked at her, joy filling his eyes. "That's my girl! Good, that's very good. Maybe she'll kill him in his sleep. That'd be one less thing to do."

She laughed, taking out her hair.

"You deserve a reward," he said, walking towards her. "After all, you've made it one step closer to being queen."

Peter

It was well into the early morning when he went into his (their) room. All the lights were out, but he could see her figure in the bed. He sighed, wishing he could lay with her, but knowing she's likely kill him if he did.

He gathered a few clean towels and made a bed for himself on the floor. It was less than tolerable but his only option. At he processed the night's event, he found himself holding back tears. He couldn't lose his love to this. Or do anything. He had to make it right. He had to.

And it had to be soon.

A/N: Part three hopefully coming soon!